Francesco Calzona: Napoli sack Walter Mazzarri and replace him with Slovakia boss

Francesco Calzona shouting on the touchlineGetty Images

Francesco Calzona has also had spells as an assistant at Perugia, Empoli and Cagliari

Napoli have sacked manager Walter Mazzarri after just three months in charge and replaced him with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona.

Mazzarri succeeded Rudy Garcia in November and departs with the Italian champions ninth in Serie A.

Italian Calzona, 55, had spells as Napoli assistant manager under Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti.

Calzona will lead Slovakia at Euro 2024 and the country's FA says his deal at Napoli is until the end of the season.

He has a contract with Slovakia until 2025, which would be automatically extended if they qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis thanked Mazzarri for "having helped the team in a tricky period".

They host Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

"The Slovak Football Association is aware this is a non-standard decision that may cause concern among the public," the governing body said.

"However, it also understands the exceptional relationship of Calzona to the club where he worked for a long time and wants to help him in the current difficult situation.

"Calzona has repeatedly declared that the main priority of his activity remains the Slovak national football team and its preparation for Euro 2024."

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